Pres. Bush has summoned Sens. McCain and Obama and congressional leadership to the White House to discuss his plan to bailout the nation's fianancial markets.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Bush has asked both Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama to join him for a meeting at the White House Thursday afternoon to discuss the economic bailout plan, a White House officials said.

"The President called Sen. Obama tonight around 7:30 pm," said Dana Perino, White House press secretary. "The president has invited the bicameral and bipartisan leadership, and the two senators running for president, to the White House tomorrow to work on driving to a bipartisan and timely solution."

Obama's campaign said in a statement that he has accepted the invitation.

"A few moments ago, President Bush called Senator Obama and asked him to attend a meeting in Washington tomorrow, which he agreed to do," the statement said.

"He has said that he will continue to work in a bipartisan spirit and do whatever is necessary to come up with a final solution."

soundoff(951 Responses)

How did the largest economy in the world get one week’s notice it was going to collapse. No one is watching the store! Washington is leadership backrupt and totally broken. Vote wisely!

September 24, 2008 10:13 pm at 10:13 pm |

Bam!!!

Barack, take extra security and a food taster with you. Don't trust those morons further than you could throw them.

September 24, 2008 10:13 pm at 10:13 pm |

Mark

What is Obama so afraid off ?

Maybe his ACTIONS will not be as good as his silver toungue would be at the debate . Maybe he is afraid if he cancels the debate, instead of using graceful words and well written catch phrases, he may actually have to take a stand and do SOMETHING to help this country.
Oh wait,, he just said a day ago,, lets wait and see.
Yea,, I want him as a leader, just sit back and wait and see.
As least McCain realizes this issue is more important than a debate that can be rescheduled VERY easily.

Since one of these two guys are going to be in charge of dealing with this in a few months doesn't anybody think it's a good idea to get their feedback at this time? I know Barack begins to wilt if he's out of the media spotlight for more than an hour or so, but he does have a day job he's paid to do (and it ain't campaigning).

September 24, 2008 10:14 pm at 10:14 pm |

pam dallas

Obama has the best economic team in the world – Bob Rubin, Bob Reich, Paul Voelker & Warren Buffet. Everyone needs to just get out of the way & let him handle things.

September 24, 2008 10:14 pm at 10:14 pm |

MD

Bush is coming to McCain's aid. This political bull. If McCain was going to be the first to accept the plan, he would have been thrown in with Bush...again.

Also, this meeting helps McCain avoid the debate. McCain looks really sick. He has no energy. He forgets his words (FEC instead of SEC). He shoots from the hip (Fire Cox). He slurs his words. All of McCain's medications must become public knowledge.

September 24, 2008 10:14 pm at 10:14 pm |

Tylenol 666

The Timing of all this is just too wierd! a day before the Debates!

Repubs hijacking the electins again!!!!

Cmon we are NOT THAT STUPID

Obama / Biden 08

September 24, 2008 10:15 pm at 10:15 pm |

dsmith

McCain and his deregulation broke it, he should participate in fixing it.

September 24, 2008 10:15 pm at 10:15 pm |

Bottom line: Obama has NO resume, even for change!!

Right, McCain wants to duck a debate on FOREIGN POLICY!! You Dems will stop at nothing when it comes to spinning something in your favor, and Obama is the worst. Wouldn't want to ruin all that acting preparation.

September 24, 2008 10:15 pm at 10:15 pm |

Rachel

What's REALLY hilarious is that McCain thought deregulation was HELPING the economy until last week and now he's trying to derail any debates because he's so scared for the "huge" impact this will have on the US economy. I think his advisors are probably leaving trails of twinkies everywhere in the hopes that he will shut up until November.

I would go with reeses pieces, myself.

September 24, 2008 10:15 pm at 10:15 pm |

Marie

if immediate action is needed why is congress taking a break. Things must be dire indeed! Obama and McCain were in the Senate, what have they done to prevent this disaster, why was Bush allowed to continue to ruin our country with no interference from Congress. They all deserve to be voted out of office, not rewarded with with the presidency. Obama has no experience and is useless with his constant present votes, and McCain is all about corporate greed. What a joke!

September 24, 2008 10:15 pm at 10:15 pm |

Bridg

I hope the Obama camp does not fall for this gimmick! This is part of McLame's talking point memo accidentally released to the press. That lousy Bush is using the bailout to help McCain's campaign!!

September 24, 2008 10:16 pm at 10:16 pm |

Palin has more experience than Obama

JRT September 24th, 2008 9:54 pm ET

Anyone else think it's funny that both McCain and the president have both in some way tried to pull Obama away from campaigning the very same week he's starting to pull away from McCain in the polls? I know there's an economic crisis, but neither of them are president yet. Bush is, so he needs to deal with it.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

And if Obama was not asked dems/libs would be yelling about him left out.

September 24, 2008 10:16 pm at 10:16 pm |

fremy

Talk about distractions, McCain's top advisor Rich Davis getting paid by Fannie and Freddy suddenly falls away from the headlines. Bush does what he can to pull Obama from away from his campain. Palin wants to suspend campain as well. McCain backing out of the very very important debate is an attempt to bumb Palin out of the VP debate.
We need these debates. We need to see unscripted moments where issues are discussed and how these candidates handle themselves. The next president will have hundreds of things happening and might have to suddenly find themselves flying to Russia and will have to hold their own against Putin for example. They won't be able to suspend anything. I can't believe McCain would back out of the most important part of this election campain. unbelievable. I really didn't expect this.

September 24, 2008 10:16 pm at 10:16 pm |

Hillary 2012

Obama trapped now

Mc Cain will win the election no doubt

September 24, 2008 10:17 pm at 10:17 pm |

vince

JOHN....... MCCAIN...... IS....... NO....... MAVERICK!

MY...... FRIENDS........

IN....... WHAT....... RESPECT...... CHARLIE?

September 24, 2008 10:17 pm at 10:17 pm |

Medee

Republicans are trying to create a diversion so voter could focus less on the fact that they created this mess….McBush are playing politics point blank and this is simply another “hail mary” attempt (the first being Sarah Palin)by McCain, as a result of the latest polls. DESPERATE TIMES???? Don't be fooled!!!

Obama/Biden 08

September 24, 2008 10:17 pm at 10:17 pm |

Shannon

It's nice to see that Obama supporters don't care about the country, only trashing McCain. Did you guys know that Obama was in the Senate, what did he do while he was there. Oh, I know....NOTHING!

September 24, 2008 10:17 pm at 10:17 pm |

Scott

LOL....Hoover McCain Bush....

September 24, 2008 10:17 pm at 10:17 pm |

PoliticsAdInfinitum

Maybe John McCain insisted to Bush that Obama be included in the meeting aswell so as not to be seen together with Bush during a crisis caused by both thier policies.

September 24, 2008 10:18 pm at 10:18 pm |

Bridg

Abby, if he's such a great leader, why did the Repugs not vote for McLame in 2000?

September 24, 2008 10:18 pm at 10:18 pm |

Artie

Is Obama bringing his 50 economic advisors to take notes for him?

September 24, 2008 10:18 pm at 10:18 pm |

db

George read a LOT of big words to the American people tonight, I just hope he's ok..

Obama/ Biden 08-12!

September 24, 2008 10:18 pm at 10:18 pm |

Audrey

I was 100% certain that McSame would find someway to ditch the debate while at the same time ensuring that Palin wouldn't have to participate in next week's VP debate. I guess Palin didn't memorize enough of her cheat sheets. McSame is really McChicken! Wow, a person MORE pathetic than Bush! America WAKE UP!

September 24, 2008 10:18 pm at 10:18 pm |

Republican voting for Obama/Biden

I believe McCain is stalling his debate in order to cancel the VP debate. Read my lips McCain – Palin will Never be ready. You should have vetted her. The American People deserve a leader and you are not that person.

All Mccain has are sick games.

The American People give you a dishonorably discharge. Please leave and take Palin with you.